Water sled apparatus

ABSTRACT

A towed water sled apparatus is disclosed. The towed water sled apparatus is designed to provide lift to an overturned water sled apparatus thereby preventing the overturned water sled apparatus from diving below the water surface. The towing line may be above the water surface while pulling the overturned water sled apparatus along the water surface. The nose radius may transition to the lift section to provide lift to the overturned water sled apparatus and prevent the overturned water sled apparatus from sinking into the water surface.

This Continuation-In-Part application claims priority to U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/028,218 filed on Feb. 16, 2011,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/305,105 filedon Feb. 16, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a water sled apparatus. Morespecifically, the invention is a towable water sled apparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide a towable water sledapparatus that is easily maneuvered by a rider.

It is an object of the invention to provide a towable water sledapparatus that greatly reduces diving or sinking while being towed,especially in an overturned position.

It is an object of the invention to provide a towable water sledapparatus that does not require a rider be strapped to the water sledapparatus while riding.

What is really needed is a towable water sled apparatus that is easilymaneuvered by a rider, greatly reduces diving or sinking while beingtowed, especially in an overturned position and that does not require arider be strapped to the water sled apparatus while riding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments,but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawing in whichlike references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overhead perspective view of an overturned watersled apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an overhead view of a water sled apparatus, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of an overturned water sled apparatus,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of a traditional overturned kneeboard,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a water sled apparatus anda towing line, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an overturned water sled apparatus, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a water sled apparatus, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of an overturned water sledapparatus and a towing line, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described usingterms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention maybe practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes ofexplanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrativeembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Inother instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in ordernot to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, inturn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the presentinvention. However, the order of description should not be construed asto imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. Inparticular, these operations need not be performed in the order ofpresentation.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generallydoes not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms“comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless thecontext dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overhead front perspective view of a water sledapparatus 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The water sled apparatus 100 may be towed behind a watercraft(not shown) and allows a rider to steer the water sled apparatus 100easily without being strapped to the water sled apparatus 100. The watersled apparatus 100 may be utilized by very young riders with much lesschance of injury because the rider may be not strapped to the water sledapparatus 100 while riding.

The water sled apparatus 100 may include a pair of knee indentations110, a pair of handles 120, a bumper pad 130 and a hitching aperture140.

The knee indentations 110 may be disposed on a top surface 100A of thewater sled apparatus 100 and accommodate any sized user rider. The pairof handles 120 may be disposed on a pair of top facing edges 100A of thewater sled apparatus 100 and may be grasped by a user to secure the userto the overturned water sled apparatus 100 while utilizing the watersled apparatus 100. The user rider may ride the water sled apparatus 100in a kneeling position in the knee indentations 110 while holding thepair of handles 120. The pair of handles 120 may be made from solidplastic or metal. The pair of handles 120 may also have a non-slipgripping surface 122 to allow the rider to better grasp the pair ofhandles 120 and better maneuver the water sled apparatus 100. Thenon-slip gripping surface 122 may be made of rubber or any othersuitable material. The bumper pad 130 may be disposed in front of theknee indentations 110 to prevent the rider from being thrown forward outof the knee indentations 110 and to provide padding and protection whenthe rider bumps forwards into the bumper pads 130. The hitching aperture140 may be disposed on the front or hull 104 of the water sled apparatus100 and receives and couples a towing line (FIG. 3, 320) to pull thewater sled apparatus 100.

The water sled apparatus 100 has a solid hull 104 made of and formedfrom molded plastic or compression formed polymer and the pair ofhandles 120 may be made from solid plastic or metal. The kneeindentations 110 and bumper pads 130 may be made of any type of foamrubber that may be suitable for utilization with the water sledapparatus 100. The water sled apparatus 100 may be towable and may beeasily maneuvered by the rider. This may be in contrast to an inflatabletowable water sled or water recreation apparatus which may be h and tomaneuver. The water sled apparatus 100 reduce s diving or sinking whilebeing towed without the rider in an upright or overturned position. Thewater sled apparatus 100 may be designed to plane or stay on the watersurface in any position with or without the rider.

FIG. 2 illustrates an overhead view of a water sled apparatus 200, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The water sledapparatus 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is in an overturned position.

The water sled apparatus 200 may include a base water sled apparatus210, a plurality of fasteners 220, an attachment aperture 230, a towingline 240 and a nose radius 250.

The base water sled apparatus 210 may have a bottom facing 212. Thebottom facing 212 may include an elongated indenture 214 that may becentered on the bottom facing 212. The elongated indenture 214 mayextend from a first end 210A of the base water sled apparatus 210 andmay provide lift to the overturned water sled apparatus 200 therebypreventing the overturned water sled apparatus 200 from diving below awater surface (not shown). The fasteners 220 may be disposed on thebottom facing 212 and secure a pair of handles (FIG. 1, 120) to the basewater sled apparatus 210. The fasteners 220 illustrated in FIG. 2 are aplurality of rivets 222 but may be any suitable fastener. The attachmentaperture 230 may be disposed on a second end 210B of the base water sledapparatus 210. The towing line 240 includes a securing strap 242 thatmay be coupled to a first end 240A of the towing line 240. The securingstrap 242 may be coupled to the first end 240A of the towing line 240 byknotting the securing strap 242 to the first end 240A of the towing line240. The securing strap 242 may be extended through the attachmentaperture 230 and looped back and coupled to the first end 240A of thetowing line 240 to pull the overturned water sled apparatus 200 along awater surface. The attachment aperture 230 may have a plurality ofrounded edges 230A to reduce damage to the securing strap 242 or othersuitable line inserted through the attachment aperture 230. The towingline 240 may be above the water surface while pulling the overturnedwater sled apparatus 200 along the water surface. The nose radius 250may be disposed on a tip 210C of the second end 210B of the water sledapparatus 200 in front of the attachment aperture 230. The nose radius250 may be disposed horizontally across the tip 210C of the second end210B of the water sled apparatus 200. The nose radius 250 may beapproximately one half inch in diameter or any other suitable diameter.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of an overturned water sled apparatus300, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The overturned water sled apparatus 300 may include a base water sledapparatus 310 and a towing line 320. The base water sled apparatus 310may have similar properties and elements as the overturned water sledapparatus 300. In contrast to the overturned water sled apparatus 300,the base water sled apparatus 310 may be in an upright position. Thetowing line 320 may be coupled to a first end 300A of the overturnedwater sled apparatus 300 to pull the overturned water sled apparatus 300along a water surface 322. The overturned water sled apparatus 300 maybe designed to provide lift to the overturned water sled apparatus 300thereby preventing the overturned water sled apparatus 300 from divingbelow the water surface 322. The towing line 320 may be above the watersurface 322 while pulling the overturned water sled apparatus 300 alongthe water surface 322.

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of a traditional overturned kneeboard330, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The traditional overturned kneeboard 330 may include a traditionalkneeboard 340 and a towing line 350. The traditional kneeboard 340 mayhave similar properties and elements as the traditional overturnedkneeboard 330. In contrast to the traditional overturned kneeboard 330,the traditional kneeboard 340 may be in an upright position. The towingline 350 may be coupled to a first end 330A of the traditionaloverturned kneeboard 330 to pull the traditional overturned kneeboard330 along a water surface 332. The towing line 350 may be underneath thewater surface 332 while pulling the traditional overturned kneeboard 330along the water surface 332. This is in contrast to the towing line 320of the overturned water sled apparatus 300 which may be above the watersurface 322 while pulling the overturned water sled apparatus 300 alongthe water surface 322. The traditional overturned kneeboard 330 may alsobe further underwater than the overturned water sled apparatus 300. Thetraditional overturned kneeboard 330 may not provide any lift section onthe top surface of the water. The traditional overturned kneeboard 330may not provide any lift section on the top surface of the water. Thismay cause the traditional overturned kneeboard 330 to dive while beingpulled while overturned. Therefore the traditional overturned kneeboard330 may not be attached to a tow vehicle.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a water sled apparatus 400and a towing line 410, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

The water sled apparatus 400 may include a towing line 410, a noseradius 420, a lift section 430 and a running surface 440.

The towing line 410 may be coupled to a first end 400A of the water sledapparatus 400 to pull the water sled apparatus 400 along a water surface402. The nose radius 420 may be disposed on a tip 400B of the first end400A of the water sled apparatus 400. The nose radius 420 may beapproximately one half inch in diameter or any other suitable diameter.The lift section 430 may decline from the nose radius 420 in the rangeof approximately twelve to fifteen degrees or other suitable range. Therunning surface 440 may extend from the lift section 430 and may be incontact with the water surface 402 as the water sled apparatus 400 maybe pulled by the towing line 410.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an overturned water sled apparatus500, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The overturned water sled apparatus 500 may include a towing line 510, anose radius 520, a lift section 530 and a running surface 540.

The towing line 510 includes a securing strap 512 that may be coupled toa first end 500A of the towing line 510. The securing strap 512 may beextended through an attachment aperture 514 and looped back and coupledto the first end 500A of the towing line 510 to pull the overturnedwater sled apparatus 500 along a water surface. The towing line 510 maybe above the water surface while pulling the overturned water sledapparatus 500 along the water surface. The towing line 510 may becoupled at midline to the first end 500A of the overturned water sledapparatus 500 or other suitable orientation. The nose radius 520 may bedisposed on the first end 500A of the water sled apparatus 500 in frontof the attachment aperture 514. The nose radius 520 may be approximatelyone half inch in diameter or any other suitable diameter. The liftsection 530 may decline from the nose radius 520 in the range ofapproximately twelve to fifteen degrees or other suitable range. Thenose radius 520 may transition to the lift section 530 to provide liftto the overturned water sled apparatus 500 and prevent the overturnedwater sled apparatus 500 from sinking into the water surface 502. Therunning surface 540 may extend from the lift section 530 to a second end500B of the overturned water sled apparatus 500. The second end 500B maybe in contact with the water surface 502 as the overturned water sledapparatus 500 may be pulled by the towing line 510.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a water sled apparatus 600, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The water sled apparatus 600 may include a towing line 610, a noseradius 620, a pair of lift sections 630 and a running surface 640. Thetowing line 610 may be coupled at midline to the first end 600A of theoverturned water sled apparatus 600 or other suitable orientation. Thenose radius 620 may be disposed on the first end 600A of the water sledapparatus 600 where the towing line 610 may be coupled to a first end600A of the water sled apparatus 600. The nose radius 620 may beapproximately one half inch in diameter or any other suitable diameter.The nose radius 620 may transition to the pair of lift sections 630 toprovide lift to the overturned water sled apparatus 600 and prevent theoverturned water sled apparatus 600 from sinking into the water surface602. The pair of lift sections 630 may equal approximately forty percentof the water sled apparatus length 600A. The running surface 640 mayextend from the pair of lift sections 630 to a second end 600B of theoverturned water sled apparatus 600. The second end 600B may be incontact with the water surface 602 as the overturned water sledapparatus 600 may be pulled by the towing line 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of an overturned water sledapparatus 700 and a towing line 710, in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

The water sled apparatus 700 may include a tow line 710, a nose radius720 and a pair of lift sections 730. The towing line 710 may be coupledto a first end 700A of the water sled apparatus 700. The nose radius 720may be disposed on the first end 700A of the water sled apparatus 700.The pair of lift sections 730 may decline and rise from the nose radius720 in the range of approximately twelve to fifteen degrees to a midline732, a first extended midline 732A and a second extended midline 732B orother suitable range. The pair of lift sections 730 may provide lift tothe water sled apparatus 700 and prevent the water sled apparatus 700from sinking into the water surface (FIG. 6, 602).

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoingembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventionis not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention canbe practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded asillustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

1. A water sled apparatus, comprising: a hull; a pair of kneeindentations to accommodate a rider's knees while the rider is ridingthe water sled apparatus; a pair of handles disposed on each side of thewater sled apparatus; a bumper pad disposed in front of the kneeindentations to provide padding and protection to the rider whileriding; a towing line to pull the water sled apparatus, the towing lineis coupled to a first end of the water sled apparatus to pull the watersled apparatus along a water surface, an overturned water sled apparatusis designed to provide lift to the overturned water sled apparatusthereby preventing the overturned water sled apparatus from diving belowthe water surface, the towing line is above the water surface whilepulling the overturned water sled apparatus along the water surface; anose radius disposed on the first end of the water sled apparatus wherethe towing line is coupled to the first end of the water sled apparatus;a pair of lift sections declining from the nose radius; the nose radiustransitions to the pair of lift sections to provide lift to theoverturned water sled apparatus and prevents the overturned water sledapparatus from sinking into the water surface; and a running surfaceextending from the pair of lift sections, the running surface is incontact with the water surface as the water sled apparatus is pulled bythe towing line.
 2. The water sled apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the hull is made of solid molded plastic or solid compressionformed polymer.
 3. The water sled apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the knee indentures accommodate any sized rider.
 4. The watersled apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the knee indentations andthe bumper pad are made of foam rubber.
 5. The water sled apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the handles are made of plastic or metal.6. The water sled apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handleshave a non-slip rubber gripping surface.
 7. The water sled apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the water sled apparatus does not sink ordrop while being towed.
 8. The water sled apparatus according to claim7, wherein the apparatus reduces sinking or dropping while being towedin an upright or an overturned position.
 9. The water sled apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the pair of lift sections declines andrises from the nose radius in the range of twelve to fifteen degrees.10. The water sled apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pair oflift sections equals forty percent of the water sled apparatus length.11. A towed water sled apparatus, comprising: a hull; a pair of kneeindentations to accommodate any sized rider's knees while the rider isriding the water sled apparatus; a pair of handles with a non-slipgripping rubber surface, the pair of handles disposed on each side ofthe water sled apparatus; a bumper pad disposed in front of the kneeindentations to provide padding and protection to the rider whileriding; a towing line to pull the water sled apparatus, the towing lineis coupled to a first end of the water sled apparatus to pull the watersled apparatus along a water surface, an overturned water sled apparatusis designed to provide lift to the overturned water sled apparatusthereby preventing the overturned water sled apparatus from diving belowthe water surface and the towing line is above the water surface whilepulling the overturned water sled apparatus along the water surface; anose radius disposed on the first end of the water sled apparatus wherethe towing line is coupled to the first end of the water sled apparatus;a pair of lift sections declining from the nose radius, the pair of liftsections equals forty percent of the water sled apparatus length, thenose radius transitions to the pair of lift sections to provide lift tothe overturned water sled apparatus and prevents the overturned watersled apparatus from sinking into the water surface; and a runningsurface extending from the pair of lift sections, the running surface isin contact with the water surface as the water sled apparatus is pulledby the towing line.
 12. The water sled apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the hull is made of solid molded plastic or solid compressionformed polymer.
 13. The water sled apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the knee indentations and the bumper pad are made of foamrubber.
 14. The water sled apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thehandles are made of plastic or metal.
 15. The water sled apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein the water sled apparatus reduces divingor sinking while being towed in an upright or an overturned position.16. The water sled apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the pair oflift sections declines and rises from the nose radius in the range oftwelve to fifteen degrees.
 17. A towed water sled apparatus, comprising:a hull made of solid molded plastic or solid compression formed polymer;a pair of knee indentations to accommodate any sized rider's knees whilethe rider is riding the water sled apparatus; a pair of plastic or metalhandles with a non-slip gripping rubber surface, the pair of handlesdisposed on each side of said the water sled apparatus; a bumper paddisposed in front of the knee indentations to provide padding andprotection to the rider while riding; a towing line to pull the watersled apparatus, the towing line is coupled to a first end of the watersled apparatus to pull the water sled apparatus along a water surface,an overturned water sled apparatus is designed to provide lift to theoverturned water sled apparatus thereby preventing the overturned watersled apparatus from diving below the water surface and the towing lineis above the water surface while pulling the overturned water sledapparatus along the water surface; a nose radius disposed on the firstend of the water sled apparatus where the towing line is coupled to thefirst end of the water sled apparatus; a pair of lift sections decliningfrom the nose radius, the pair of lift sections equals forty percent ofthe water sled apparatus length, the nose radius transitions to the pairof lift sections to provide lift to the overturned water sled apparatusand prevents the overturned water sled apparatus from sinking into thewater surface; and a running surface extending from the pair of liftsections, the running surface is in contact with the water surface asthe water sled apparatus is pulled by the towing line.
 18. The watersled apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the knee indentations andthe bumper pad are made of foam rubber.
 19. The water sled apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein the water sled apparatus reduces divingor sinking while being towed or while in an upright or an overturnedposition.
 20. The water sled apparatus according to claim 17, whereinthe pair of lift sections declines and rises from the nose radius in therange of twelve to fifteen degrees.